Failsafe actuated valve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12253184-B2
Application number	US-202217847815-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 23, 2022
Priority date	Jun 23, 2021
Publication date	Mar 18, 2025
Grant date	Mar 18, 2025

Abstract

A failsafe valve system configured to bring the valve to a predefined state (e.g., fully opened, fully closed) if the actuator fails (e.g., loss of power). The failsafe system of the present disclosure is energy efficient and reliable.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A failsafe drive adapter for providing failsafe capabilities to an actuator and a valve assembly, the failsafe drive adapter comprising:
a failsafe drive adapter housing base;
a failsafe drive adapter cover mounted to the failsafe drive adapter housing base;
the failsafe drive adapter cover having a first connection interface for engaging with a housing of the actuator;
the failsafe drive adapter housing base having a second connection interface for engaging with a housing of the valve assembly;
an actuator plate located within the failsafe drive adapter housing base, the actuator plate defining a first interface configured to be coupled to an actuator output of the actuator;
a valve plate located within the failsafe drive adapter housing base, the valve plate defining a second interface configured to be coupled to an input shaft of the valve assembly; and
a failsafe plate located adjacent the valve plate, the failsafe plate comprising ratchet lock pins that engage the valve plate to move the valve plate to an open position in the event of a power failure to the actuator, and the valve plate located between the actuator plate and the failsafe plate;
wherein the failsafe drive adapter is configured to drive the rotation of the input shaft in a failsafe state to a predetermined fluid flow state;
wherein the failsafe drive adapter is configured such that it does not require electrical power to function;
wherein the failsafe drive adapter is in a dormant state when the actuator receives electrical power; and
wherein the failsafe drive adapter automatically activates in the event of a power failure to the actuator.

2. The failsafe drive adapter of claim 1 , further comprising a controller and at least one sensor, wherein the controller is configured to activate the failsafe drive adapter based in part on sensed data.

3. The failsafe drive adapter of claim 1 , wherein the failsafe drive adapter includes a solenoid, wherein the failsafe drive adapter is automatically engaged when the solenoid is de-energized.

4. The failsafe drive adapter of claim 3 , wherein the solenoid when energized maintains preload on a loaded torsion spring and once the solenoid is de-energized, the loaded torsion spring releases its energy which decouples the actuator from the input shaft of the valve assembly and engages a drive assembly of the failsafe drive adapter with the input shaft of the valve assembly.

5. The failsafe drive adapter of claim 4 , wherein the loaded torsion spring provides rotational energy needed to drive the valve assembly to the predetermined fluid flow state.

6. The failsafe drive adapter of claim 4 , wherein the actuator plate includes at least one pivoting latch that is configured to selectively engage the failsafe plate to drive the failsafe plate and preload the torsion spring.

7. The failsafe drive adapter of claim 6 , wherein the failsafe drive adapter includes a solenoid spindle connected to the solenoid, the solenoid spindle including an annular collar portion that is configured to drive the valve plate axially and maintain the axial position of the valve plate when the solenoid is energized, and radially extending tabs that engage with the failsafe plate to limit the rotation of the failsafe plate when engaged.

8. The failsafe drive adapter of claim 1 ,
wherein the actuator plate and the valve plate are selectively engaged such that in a first state, they rotate together and in a second state, they can rotate independent of each other; and
the failsafe plate being spring loaded to rotate and drive the valve plate in the event of an actuator failure, the failsafe plate being selectively engaged and disengaged with the valve plate.

9. A failsafe valve assembly comprising:
the failsafe drive adapter of claim 1 ;
the actuator that rotates the input shaft; and
the valve assembly.

10. A failsafe drive adapter comprising:
a failsafe drive adapter housing base;
a failsafe drive adapter cover mounted to the failsafe drive adapter housing base;
an actuator plate located within the failsafe drive adapter housing base, the actuator plate defining a first interface configured to be coupled to an actuator output of an actuator, wherein the actuator plate includes at least one pivoting latch that is configured to selectively engage a failsafe plate to drive the failsafe plate and preload a torsion spring;
a valve plate located within the failsafe drive adapter housing base, the valve plate defining a second interface configured to be coupled to an input shaft of a valve assembly;
a solenoid, wherein the failsafe drive adapter is automatically engaged when the solenoid is de-energized, and the solenoid maintains preload on the loaded torsion spring when energized and once the solenoid is de-energized, the loaded torsion spring releases its energy which decouples the actuator from the input shaft of the valve assembly and engages a drive assembly of the failsafe drive adapter with the input shaft of the valve assembly; and
a solenoid spindle connected to the solenoid, the solenoid spindle including an annular collar portion that is configured to drive the valve plate axially and maintain the axial position of the valve plate when the solenoid is energized, and radially extending tabs that engage with the failsafe plate to limit the rotation of the failsafe plate when engaged;
wherein the failsafe drive adapter is configured to drive the rotation of the input shaft in a failsafe state to a predetermined fluid flow state,
wherein the failsafe drive adapter is configured such that it does not require electrical power to function,
wherein the failsafe drive adapter is in a dormant state when the actuator receives electrical power, and
wherein the failsafe drive adapter automatically activates in the event of a power failure to the actuator.

11. A failsafe drive adapter comprising:
a failsafe drive adapter housing base;
a failsafe drive adapter cover mounted to the failsafe drive adapter housing base;
an actuator plate located within the failsafe drive adapter housing base, the actuator plate defining a first interface configured to be coupled to an actuator output of an actuator;
a valve plate located within the failsafe drive adapter housing base, the valve plate defining a second interface configured to be coupled to an input shaft of a valve assembly;
a solenoid, wherein the failsafe drive adapter is automatically engaged when the solenoid is de-energized, and the solenoid maintains preload on a loaded torsion spring when energized and once the solenoid is de-energized, the loaded torsion spring releases its energy which decouples the actuator from the input shaft of the valve assembly and engages a drive assembly of the failsafe drive adapter with the input shaft of the valve assembly; and
a solenoid spindle connected to the solenoid, the solenoid spindle including an annular collar portion that is configured to drive the valve plate axially and maintain the axial position of the valve plate when the solenoid is energized, and radially extending tabs that engage with the failsafe plate to limit the rotation of the failsafe plate when engaged,
wherein the failsafe drive adapter is configured to drive rotation of the input shaft in a failsafe state to a predetermined fluid flow state,
wherein the failsafe drive adapter is configured such that it does not require electrical power to function,
wherein the failsafe drive adapter is in a dormant state when the actuator receives electrical power, and
wherein the failsafe drive adapter automatically activates in the event of a power failure to the actuator.

Assignees

• Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd

Inventors

• Baker Graham Peter
• More Parag
• Peck Daniel
• Borawake Abhijit Shrikrishna
• Miner Jason Robert

Classifications

• F16K17/366

  the closure member being a movable ball (F16K17/38 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16K5/0647

  Spindles or actuating means · CPC title

• F16K31/563

  for rotating or pivoting valves · CPC title

• F16K31/042 Primary

  with electric means, e.g. for controlling the motor or a clutch between the valve and the motor · CPC title

• F16K31/043 Primary

  characterised by mechanical means between the motor and the valve, e.g. lost motion means reducing backlash, clutches, brakes or return means · CPC title